But news yesterday that Neath-Swansea Ospreys won't be bringing regional rugby to Bridgend finally closed the book on one of the grand old men of Welsh rugby grounds.

Sure, Bridgend's semi-professional side will continue to trot out on one of the most famous patches of turf this side of the Severn Bridge.

But where once fervent crowds who lived and breathed the game cheered players like JPR Williams and Steve Fenwick, a white elephant will now stand - woefully under used as a symbol of the now dormant nature of a once proud Welsh rugby hotbed.

And today Fenwick reflected on the end of an era at the Brewery Field, confirmed in sobering finality almost as an aside at a time of year when the game is relegated nearer the back of Welsh sporting consciousness.

"It's a sad day for everyone who has lived, breathed and been associated with Bridgend," said Fenwick, now 52, the blond-haired bull of a centre who won 30 Wales caps between 1975 and 1981.

"The Ospreys did say that they would share their commitment to their newly-enlarged region by playing games at the Brewery Field.

"But once again the people of Bridgend have been misled in what is really the final body blow for top-class rugby in the area.

"It's a real shame as we all know how the Brewery Field is steeped with tradition."

Steeped indeed. Not only with blood and guts Welsh club matches that used to have fans wincing all the way up the Tondu Road. But with touring matches such as the infamous 1979 game against New Zealand when JPR was taken from the field with a head injury amid accusations of thuggery directed at the All Blacks.

"Many of the matches that have been played there will always be remembered, including the New Zealand game in 1979 and the clash with the Aussies in 1981," said Fenwick.

"I remember the days when the club used to attract 15,000 plus crowds to watch our games.

"It may be a cliche, but they really were the days, back then it was a tight-knit ground that used to ooze atmosphere and visiting teams found it hostile.

"What will the people of Bridgend now do on a Saturday afternoon?

"I'll tell you one thing, you won't get the people flocking to see Bridgend in the Welsh Premiership rugby or travelling to Neath or Swansea to watch the Ospreys. They want to see top international players playing for or against their local team on their doorstep."

And Fenwick, doubts that whatever happens in the future, even if some way is found to get top flight action back to the Brewery Field, those halycon days of 15,000 throngs will ever return.

"Any aspirations among youngsters around here of playing for your top local side will have gone now," he rapped.

"Yet in all this I understand why the Ospreys do not want to play at the Brewery Field.

"Why would they want to?

"You are not going to get Warriors or Ospreys supporters travelling up the M4 to watch them play.

"And it's hard to believe that standard of quality rugby will never return to the ground.

"To think, it's actually now one of the best grounds in Wales, with hospitality boxes, yet it will hardly be used."